My opinion of DAP was wrong, says Dr M

SHAH ALAM: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said attending the DAP’s party conference had opened his eyes and he repudiated many of his previous views of the party.

Mahathir seemed surprised that the DAP, often labelled by Barisan Nasional as a Chinese party, conducted its party conference in Bahasa Malaysia and even its party anthem is sung in the language.

“I admit, my opinion about the DAP in the past was wrong,” he told a press conference after the opening.

He also noted that there were many non-Chinese party members at the conference, even in the party’s leadership.

“This is not a Chinese party, but a multi-racial one.”

He also dispelled aspersions that he is a traitor to Malays since he is now working with the DAP, pointing out that Malaysia’s founder Tunku Abdul Rahman was seen in many photos with the party.

Mahathir said Tun Abdul Razak, who was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s father, once invited the DAP into BN after the May 13, 1969 racial riots.

“If I am considered a traitor, then perhaps Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak were also traitors,” he said.

Later at a press conference, Mahathir, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, said the party will be joining Pakatan Harapan soon.

Earlier, the delegates were surprised to see Mahathir sitting next to party adviser Lim Kit Siang on stage.

He was flanked by Kit Siang on his right and DAP advisor Dr Chen Man Hin on his left. Also seated were PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.